Adopt me! Your contribution helps provide my food, toys, and medical care. I'll stay at the Museum, and you'll get a photo of me and a certificate as reminders of your generosity. We'll also list your name on a placard at the Museum. Check out our adoption section and see all of our adoption levels.

Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii/berlandieri

History
He was found walking down the street in Santa Cruz. He was taken to native animal rescue to be evaluated and fostered for placement. He was transferred to Coyote Point Museum in May of 1999.

Fun Facts
He is a very messy eater. When he is done eating the keepers have to take a toothbrush and warm water to clean all of the food stuck to his beak.

Birth Date
Unknown

Wild Diet
Desert herbs, grasses, flowers, cacti and fruit.

Museum Diet
Spring, summer and fall: A variety of organic native grasses, weeds and plants grown in the tortoise garden and cactus.
Winter: Most desert tortoises hibernate in the winter and choose not to eat. During this time we do occasionally offer dried orchard grass and a small variety of greens, but it is rarely eaten.

Life Span
In the Wild: Estimated 50 to 80 years, however approximately only one 1 in every 75 baby tortoises will live to 20 years old. Most hatchlings live less then one year.
In Captivity: 80+ years (reported in 1980 by a private owner whose family acquired the tortoise between 1900-1910).

Habitat
Desert regions, canyons bottoms and rocky hillsides

Range
Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the south west USA and Mexico

Conservation Status:
This animal is a threatened species and fully protected by the state of California. Habitat destruction, pet trade, and automobiles have reduced their numbers greatly. In 1974 a law was passed making the collection of wild tortoises illegal. To preserve the desert tortoise the Bureau of Land Management has established a 61 km (38 sq mi) sanctuary in California as the Desert Tortoise Natural Area. This preserve is closed to all vehicles, livestock grazing and mineral exportation.